Empower newly arrived refugees on their journey to self-sufficiency!
Catholic Charities Dallas’ Refugee Services provides compassionate support and essential resources to refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and Cuban/Haitian entrants. As a Refugee Mentor, you will play a crucial role in helping individuals and families navigate life in the U.S., fostering confidence, independence, and community connection.
What You'll Do
- Build a supportive and positive relationship with a refugee client and/or family.
- Meet weekly (1-hour sessions) or as agreed upon to provide mentorship.
- Maintain clear communication with the refugee family and assigned CCD staff member.
- Help clients access resources based on their expressed needs, such as:
- Cultural orientation and adjusting to American customs.
- Public transportation guidance (e.g., using buses and trains).
- Understanding the U.S. education system, including parent-teacher conferences and school advocacy.
- Basic life skills training, such as:
- Grocery shopping
- Checking and understanding mail
- Doing laundry
- Paying rent and bills
Why Volunteer?
- Make a direct, life-changing impact on a refugee’s journey to self-sufficiency.
- Gain meaningful cross-cultural experience while fostering inclusion and community integration.
- Help families adjust to a new home and provide them with tools for success.
What You Need
A successful mentor is someone who is:
- Reliable and committed to meeting weekly with their mentee.
- Empathetic, supportive, and patient in guiding refugee families.
- Respectful of individual differences and diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Flexible and adaptable to the mentee’s needs and goals.
- Willing to follow all program policies and procedures.
Location and Schedule
- Location: Varies based on mentor-mentee pairing
- Schedule: Weekly 1-hour meetings (flexible based on availability)
Volunteer Onboarding Process
To ensure a safe and supportive environment, all volunteers must complete our onboarding process, which includes:
✔ Background check
✔ Online abuse awareness trainings
✔ Reference checks
✔ Interview with staff
Ready to Make a Difference?
Click "Respond" to this opportunity, and you will receive an email confirmation. A volunteer team member will follow up with additional details!
